Irish holidaymakers are increasingly seeking respite from a particularly wet February, driving a surge in bookings for warmer climates, according to data released this week. Travel Counsellors Ireland reported a 13% increase in sales for the first two weeks of February compared to the same period last year, signaling a strong desire for sunshine and a break from the gloomy weather.
While the correlation between the weather and booking behavior isn’t definitively established, Cathy Burke, Managing Director of Travel Counsellors Ireland, noted the prevailing sentiment. “Everybody’s just so miserable looking out the window, you can’t even go for a walk,” she said. “All they want is sunshine and something to look forward to, so I do believe the weather’s having a big impact.”
The trend is manifesting in several key areas. Cruises, both ocean and river, are experiencing a boom, with ocean cruise bookings up 20% year-on-year and river cruise bookings soaring by 60%, according to Travel Counsellors. This growth is fueled by value for money, all-inclusive packages, and attractive offers for families and solo travelers. River cruises, in particular, offer a more intimate experience, typically accommodating fewer than 200 passengers, and allow for immersive exploration of towns and regions.
“It’s very relaxed, meandering slowly along the river, in small low ships to fit under bridges,” Burke explained. “When you dock up at a town, you’re literally in the town and you can go on bicycle tours. It’s very different to the ocean cruises, but like the ocean cruises, you can get anything from three, four, five-star ships and food, it’s making sure that you have the right ship for you.”
Spain, particularly the Canary Islands, remains a popular destination for Irish travelers, despite a 10% drop in overall bookings. The US also continues to be a top choice, ranking within the top three destinations, even with a 10% year-on-year decrease in January bookings. However, late bookings to the US are on the rise, suggesting continued interest despite potential concerns.
Specific US destinations attracting Irish tourists include Orlando, Florida, Nevada, Nashville, and California. The relative strength of the dollar is playing a role in this continued appeal, offering Irish tourists better value for their money. Currently, €1 is fetching around $1.18, a significant improvement from parity with the dollar at the same time last year.
“If you look at the same time last year, we were on parity with the US dollar, so €1 would get you $1,” explained Mary McKenna, founder of Tour America. “Last week it went up to $1.20, this week it’s $1.18, it’s still much better value, they’re getting cheaper hotels and better bargains when they get to the States.”
McKenna also noted that reduced travel from Americans to Europe is creating more availability and lower prices on transatlantic flights. “That’s a big shift in currency first of all, and the second thing is what I’m seeing and hearing is the Americans aren’t travelling to Europe, that means those airlines now have empty seats coming from the States and they’ve dropped all their prices so You’ll see really good deals now.”
Beyond these established destinations, a trend towards “coolcations” is emerging, with travelers opting for destinations that offer cooler temperatures and avoid the intense heat of Southern Europe during July and August. Norway, in particular, is gaining traction, with trips up 50% due to increased flight capacity and the appeal of fjord cruises. Denmark is also benefiting from this shift.
Long-haul destinations such as the UAE, Vietnam, and Japan are proving popular for winter travel. Tour America founder Mary McKenna acknowledged that geopolitical uncertainty, particularly regarding US immigration policies and tariffs, had initially raised concerns. However, she expressed surprise at the limited impact on bookings.
“There’s a lot of interest when stuff comes up on ESTA or when US President Donald Trump announces something on social media,” McKenna said. “But just as it stands right now, there’s no changes on restrictions or requirements on ESTA that have changed from before, and the social media changes that he brought in haven’t come into effect yet.”
She added that while there was a temporary dip in inquiries following news events, such as the detention of an Irish man by ICE, bookings quickly rebounded. “We did see a dip in calls, we track it and can see when it does have an impact. But then there are people who could have been looking to travel and that might affect new bookings that were going to happen in those two weeks, then it dies down again and bookings come back.”
the Irish travel market appears resilient, driven by a combination of unfavorable domestic weather, attractive exchange rates, and a continued desire for value and experience. The surge in cruise bookings, the enduring appeal of the US, and the emergence of “coolcations” are shaping the landscape of Irish travel in 2026.
